Oceania+and+surroundings

= = =** Oceania and surroundings ** = = = = = = [|Image by Nations Online] = = = = Long-beaked echidna //(Zaglossus bruijni)// = =**__Distribution __**= Endemic to New Guinea, long-beaked echidnas are widespread and found in both Papua New Guinea in the west and Papua on the Indonesian side. They are also known from the island of Salawati off New Guinea’s western tip, and may possibly occur on the islands of Supiori and Waigeo, although their presence here has yet to be confirmed. The three species have distinct ranges: //Z. bruijni// is found in the far west of New Guinea, //Z. attenboroughi// is known only from the Cyclops Mountains of Papua, and //Z. bartoni// is principally found in a swathe along the centre of the island, where each of the 4 subspecies have separate ranges. __ ** Population Estimate **  __ The population is estimated to be 300,000 individuals

__ ** Status ** __ Only one species ( //Z. bruijni// ) is currently recognised by the IUCN. It is classified as Endangered (EN A1ac) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

__ ** Threats ** __ Traditional hunting is the main reason for the species' decline. Long-beaked echidnas are highly prized game species and are hunted for food by local people with trained dogs. The other threats come from farming, logging and mining, which are causing a decline in the echidnas' forest habitat. Attenborough's long-beaked echidna was previously thought to be possibly extinct since it was apparently restricted to a single mountain peak in the Cyclops Mountains and hadn’t been reported since the original specimen was found in 1961. However, a recent EDGE expedition to the region found evidence that the species survives, even in the lowlands, and may have a larger range than previously believed. Very little is known about the threats to Attenborough's echidna, although interviews with local community members suggested that it is also at risk from hunting. [|Image by Auscape International Photo Library] = = = = = = = = = = = =  **Southern marsupial mole //(Notoryctes typhlops)//** __** Distribution **__ This species has been recorded from the central deserts of the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and northern South Australia.

__** Population Estimate **__ Unknown. __

Classified as Endangered (EN A1c+2c) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
 * Status** __

__ **Threats** __ Marsupial moles are prized for their luxurious golden fur, and numbers are thought to have declined rapidly between 1900 and 1920, when several thousand marsupial mole pelts are thought to have been traded by Aboriginal people to Europeans and Afghan cameleers. The main threats to the species today are unknown, but it is thought that predation by introduced foxes, feral cats and dingoes is having an adverse affect on populations. Other possible threats include changed fire regimes as well as trampling and habitat changes caused by introduced cattle and wild camels. [|Image by Auscape International] = = = = = ** Northern hairy-nosed wombat //(Lasiorhinus krefftii)// ** = =__ ** Distribution ** __= == Endemic to Australia, the species was originally found in two locations in Queensland and one in New South Wales. There is currently just one population remaining, situated in 500 ha of Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland. = = = **__ Population Estimate __** = There are an estimated 115 individuals remaining in a single colony.

=**__ Status __**= The rarest Australian marsupial, the species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2c, D) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

A combination of habitat loss, drought and competition with introduced grazing animals accelerated the species’ decline following European settlement. The species has also suffered considerable losses as a result of predation by dingoes, another introduced mammal. While most of these problems have now been addressed, the survival of the species is still uncertain. The greatest current threat is the fact that the wombats live in only one small population. This means that they are very vulnerable to natural events such as fire, drought, predators, disease or flooding, and inbreeding and consequent loss of genetic variation. [|Image by Department of Environment and Resource Management]
 * __ Threats __**

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** Dugong //(Dugong dugong)// ** __** Distribution **__ Relict populations of the species survive in coastal waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the east coast of Africa to Vanuatu in the western Pacific, between latitudes of about 27° north and south of the Equator. Today, most dugongs are found in northern Australian waters between Shark Bay in Western Australia and Moreton Bay in Queensland. = = =**__Population Estimate__**= The total number in Australian waters may exceed 80,000 and is probably more than half the world’s total. The second largest distribution, around 7,000 individuals, is in the Persian Gulf. = = = = =**__Status__**= Classified as Vulnerable (VU A2bcd) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. = = =**__Threats__**= The species has been traditionally hunted throughout much of its range for its meat, hide, oil and bones. Although commercial hunting is now banned, dugong products from indirect takes are still highly valued, and traditional hunting of the species by the indigenous peoples of Australia and the western islands of the Torres Strait continues. The species’ large size, slow swimming speed and dependence on coastal habitats make them easy targets for hunters. Researchers fear that due to other factors this traditional harvesting of the species is no longer sustainable. Habitat loss and degradation is thought to be a major threat. High levels of human population growth and rapid rates of industrialisation are occurring throughout much of the dugong’s range. Sea grass ecosystems are very sensitive to human activity and may be destroyed directly by mining or trawling, or lost as a result of dredging, land clearing and land reclamation. These activities cause increases in sedimentation and turbidity, which blocks out light and smothers the plants. Accidental entanglement in gill or mesh nets or traps set by fishermen is an indirect cause of dugong mortality. Since dugongs cannot hold their breath for long periods of time, many drown as a result of entanglement in these nets. Factors such as pollution, vessel strikes and disease may also threaten dugong populations, although their effect has yet to be quantified. The species’ life history makes it particularly vulnerable to these threats. Dugongs are long-lived with a low reproductive rate, long generation time, and a high investment in each offspring. Even under ideal conditions, simulations have predicted that dugong numbers will not rise by more than about 5% per year. A slight reduction in adult survivorship can cause a population to crash. [|Image by The ASM Mammal Image Library]**

Mountain pygmy possum //(Burramys parvus)// **  The species is restricted three geographically isolated populations in south east Australia; Kosciuszko National Park (New South Wales), and in the Mt. Bogong - Mt. Higginbotham range and the Mt. Buller-Stirling areas in Victoria. It may also occur in the Cobberas - Tingaringy region in eastern Victoria, where possible remains have been identified in predator scats.
 * __ Distribution __**

The population is estimated to be less than 2,000. Status __** Classified as Endangered (EN B1+2abcde) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Threats __** The species’ habitat is highly restricted and is being destroyed or fragmented by rock extraction for dam/aqueduct construction and the development of infrastructure for the downhill skiing industry. Snow-grooming operations can destroy vegetation when snow cover is thin and may disturb the animals when they are hibernating. Buildings and roads act as barriers to the dispersal of males as well as reducing the amount of available habitat. Other causes of habitat degradation include the invasion of weeds such as English broom and blackberries. The species is predated by introduced animals such as foxes and cats, although it is unclear what effect this is having on populations. Continued long-term declines in populations are predicted as temperatures rise and snow cover decreases due to global warming. [|Image by Auscape International]
 * __ Population Estimate __**
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